DOG owners are being reminded that their pets will soon need to be chipped to comply with the law.

Middlesbrough Borough Council and The Dogs Trust will jointly run a series of free microchipping sessions to try and prevent people in the town being hit with a £500 fine for failing to comply.

From Wednesday, April 6 it will be compulsory for all dogs over the age of eight weeks to be microchipped, and their owners required to keep their contact details up-to-date records.

Lost and stray dogs still cost the taxpayer and welfare charities £33 million per year and to help dog owners in Middlesbrough comply with the new regulations, Middlesbrough council is holding a series of FREE microchipping clinics run in conjunction with Dogs Trust.

Cllr Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for adult health and social care, said: “I hope these new regulations will help reunite owners with lost or stolen pets, relieve the burden on animal charities and local authorities and protect the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible dog ownership. I would urge anyone with a dog that hasn’t been microchipped to take advantage of our free chipping sessions over the coming months.”

The clinics will take place between 11am and 3pm at the following venues:

*Monday, February 29 at Thorntree Park, Spencerfield Crescent, Middlesbrough TS3 9HR

*Tuesday, March 29 at Langridge Initiative Centre, Langridge Crescent, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough TS3 7LU

*Wednesday, April 27 at North Ormesby Hub, Derwent Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough TS3 6JB

*Tuesday, May 24 at The Pod, Hemlington Recreation Centre, Cass House Road, Middlesbrough TS8 9QW

*Tuesday, June 28 at Trinity Church, Stainsby Road, Whinney Banks Middlesbrough TS5 4JS